Spiritual solution to mental and physical ailments
Recently, a message was forwarded to me about solutions to various ailments and diseases. According to it, diseases are psychosomatic in nature. This means that they are generated in the mind and the result is shown in the body. It was suggested that the body and mind should be studied together to understand the disease phenomenon. We don’t have to go into the veracity of this statement in totality, but it is clear that many physical diseases result from stress and worry. The solution suggested was in capital letters: LEARN TO MEDITATE DAILY. This is what caught my attention, because it is the perfect solution to all problems, diseases and otherwise.
How meditation helps can be understood by learning about God, mind, body and diseases. Beginning with God, we know that God is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient. We also know that God is the Creator of what all we see, which includes our body and mind. What most don’t realise is that we are souls — parts of God (The Bhagavad-Gita 15.7). This means that there is an eternal relationship between us souls and God — ‘Anshi’ (the Whole). Surely, God is prepared to accept us whenever we approach Him sincerely (9.30). Not only that, God is prepared to help us tackle all problems, including diseases, if we develop God consciousness (18.58). Presently, we have material consciousness, that is, I am a material body and the subtle mind.
This is where our problem really lies. Our body is made up of five gross elements, which are earth, water, fire, air and ether (7.4). Then, there is the subtle body made up of mind, intelligence and ‘ahankar’ (ego) (7.4). The mind is the leader of the eyes, ears, tongue, nose and the sense of touch (15.7 & 8). This mind is very difficult to control (6.34). But it can be controlled by taking shelter of God in all respects (18.62) by practising meditation. Then only, it acts as a friend; otherwise, it remains an enemy (6.6).
Before I take up meditation, let us understand what diseases are. They are of two types: physical and mental. Medical science is very useful in treating physical diseases through proper investigation and medication. Such diseases are of a temporary nature (2.14) and are the results of punishments for impious acts done in the past.
This brings us to meditation. What is it? To my understanding, it is simply to create a good connection with God, like looking at a manifestation of God and gently chanting His name. Isn’t He everything to all intents and purposes, being omniscient and omnipotent? Doesn’t God know us inside and out (13.2)? He surely knows what my problem is, diseases included. Isn’t He the best to guide and help me? This is exactly what is happening with me in my life in the recent past. I have no idea how this person came up with the perfect solution, but I can vouch for it because it works every time.
The writer is a spiritual teacher and columnist; Views presented are personal.
